Balenciaga L'Essence: Top Notes

With descriptions like "reflective" and "high-pitched" alongside equally hard-to-imagine ingredients like frozen morello cherry and floral woody chypre, fragrance reviews can be... a little hard to grasp. In our new series, Top Notes, our editors road test new and classic perfumes, and report back what they really thought. This week, we're wearing Balenciaga's new fall fragrance -- Balenciaga L'Essence -- a 'greener' version of the original violet scent the house launched in 2009.

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Priya Rao, style editor

What were you initial thoughts of the fragrance?
When I first tried Balenciaga L'Essence, it had a strong musky scent with hints of violet. It felt much more androgynous than most other women's fragrances.

How did the scent evolve throughout the day?
As the day progressed, the fragrance smelled more natural and woodsy. It blended nicely with my skin, and it's intensity never overpowered me.

Did it remind you of anything—person, place, memory?
It reminded me of my mother's vanity filled with glamorous soaps and scents.

How did it compare to other scents you've worn? Would you consider it unique/different?
I don't usually wear perfumes, but when I do I stick to Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb which is an explosion of florals. Balenciaga felt more unique because of its masculine qualities. It was almost as if it was less like a garden, and more like a seductive forest.

What did others think of they you smelled?
Most people really liked it. One of my friends said I smelled like the fresh soap you find in a luxury hotel, while others picked up on the musky and floral notes.

Does this fragrance feel more appropriate for warm weather or crisper fall temperatures?
I think it can be worn in either. I happened to wear it on cooler days this summer, so I'm excited to see how it evolves as the temperatures drop.

Would you continue to wear this scent?
Absolutely. I really liked how discreet it smelled, so I think it might become my new go-to.

Balenciaga L’Essence will be available this September. $95 - neimanmarcus.com